The Sportsman is a better machine IMO but I would look for a 2001 or later 500 H.O.

 

Thinking of trading mxz 600 for the 99 sportsman..only one I can find...u think its fair trade??

 

I would say that for that price range (around here) your generally looking at something that is, or about to be a project. 6000 miles really isn't that bad if they kept up on the maint. If I bought it new in1999 I would have expected no less than 12,000 of good service motor wise. Wheel bearings, seals, brake's are all normal wear items I think. So to me if I pick up a quad in that price range, I figure on slowly improving it as I have money avail. I wouldn't pick it up and expect it to be my reliable go deep in the woods machine right away.

 

Not true. Maybe on paper. I own a '98 and a '10 sporty 500 (non-ho and HO). They both are well maintained, well operating machines. Sure the older one has the potential exhaust cam issue (mostly due to very poor oil change maintenance), more zerks to lube and the cv thing. But power is virtually identical. Both mine pull just as hard from 0-55, from mid-speed to 55 and from around a corner to mid or full speed. I drive 'em on dirt/grass so won't attempt more than 55, even that is scary. The carb is larger on the H0 and the cam is tweaked but I cannot feel the difference. So if the machine is otherwise good, its not trash. On the flipside, if you can find an HO machine w/less miles (and hours) for the same money, then that's a better deal.

 

The H.O. is supposed to be 15% more power. Maybe it's actually 10%. Either way I could feel a difference in my '97 and '01 Sportsmans.

 

We also have both , a 1997 500 non H.O and a 2001 H.O 500 .
Both run like new.
The larger 40mm carb and high duration cam of the H.O defiantly can be felt in the mid and high power band.

Larger 40mm carb vs a 34mm with hotter higher duration cam has to make a difference. There is no beating the laws of physics.

It also can be felt in the gas mileage. The non H.O get 100+ miles on a 5.25gal tank while the H.O is lucky to get 90 miles.

The 97 non H.O does 55mph the H.O does almost 60 on hard pack and gets to the non H.O's top end of 55 mph in less time and distance for sure.